harriet (6)

chapter twenty one

Nicky took a seat at the front of the coach. Everyone was being quiet. They were all too caught up in their own problems to bother with him. Which was exactly the way he wanted it. The last thing he needed just now was Bryan’s "There’s plenty more fish in the sea. You need to get out there and enjoy yourself." speech.

Laura climbed onto the bus. ‘Is this seat taken?’ She patted the seat next to Nicky.

‘What do you think? Take a seat.’

The bus pulled away, and Nicky gave a half-hearted wave to the small group of fans waiting outside the hotel.

‘Nick, look, I know this is the last thing you need to hear right now, but you’ve got to pull yourself together! There are thousands of fans who are coming to watch you on this tour, and they want to help you get over Georgina, but they can only help you if you let them.’

‘That’s assuming I want to get over her.’

‘Don’t you?’

‘I loved her! I still do.’ He shook his head. ‘You wouldn’t understand.’

‘Of course I wouldn’t.’ There was sarcasm in Laura’s voice. ‘Just because I’ve never been in a serious relationship, it doesn’t mean I don’t know how it feels to love, so don’t you ever tell me I wouldn’t understand.’ She stood up and changed seats.

Nicky sighed, and rested his head back against the seat. He just wanted to sleep.

As the coach pulled up outside the Glasgow hotel, Bryan came and sat with Nicky. ‘I need some advice man.’

‘Not now Bry.’

‘Please.’

Nicky turned and saw the worry in Bryan’s eyes. ‘Okay. What’s up?’

‘What do you remember about Saturday night?’

‘Probably about as much as you. Why?’

‘I...I...I slept with Sandra.’ Bryan barely whispered the words, for fear of being overheard.

‘You what?! But I thought she was keen on Mark?’

‘That’s what I thought too! But all I know is, I woke up in her room on Sunday morning, and ever since she hasn’t left me alone! I’m surprised Mark hasn’t heard about it yet, cos all the girls seem to know.’

‘Jeez man. You must have been wasted!’

‘Tell me about it! But the thing is, I like her, but I didn’t bother saying anything cos of Mark.’

‘But if he doesn’t like her, what’s the problem! You don’t have to tell him.’

‘That’s what I figured, but he’s just told me he wants to give it a try with her! But I think it’s only because Patricia knocked him back.’

‘I think you should tell him. But talk to Sandra first.’

‘Yeah.’ Bryan stood up. ‘Thanks man. Look, are you okay? You’ve been pretty cut up about Georgina.’

‘I’ll be okay. Thanks for asking.’ Nicky smiled, and the two of them got off the coach.

Shane was muttering to himself as he got off the bus. ‘Why do there have to be fans everywhere? I don’t need this right now.’ He put on his professional smile as he walked into the hotel foyer. He spotted Alec waiting by the lift, with Lucy’s arm round her. Alec had been crying. Lucy caught his stare, and looked away. He hadn’t spoken to either of them since Lucy told him Alec was pregnant.

He didn’t know what to do. He knew he didn’t love Alec anymore, but he felt responsible. And his feelings for Lucy were getting stronger, even though she’d hurt him by her comments.

He took a deep breath, and walked across to the two of them. Lucy shot him a look, as though she was trying to tell him not to say anything, but he ignored it.

‘Alec.’ She looked up, and her eyes were red. ‘We need to talk.’

‘Do we?’

‘I think so. I don’t care what you say.’

‘You never did!’

Shane bit his lip. ‘I’m in room 22. Come along in about twenty minutes.’

‘Fine.’ She got into the lift, but Lucy stayed with Shane.

‘What the hell do you think you’re playing at?’ Lucy turned to him.

‘What do you mean?’

‘You’re not supposed to know! She trusted me - I wasn’t supposed to say anything! No one else knows!’

‘I don’t care! I’ll just say I overheard you talking. I did!’

‘Look, Shane, you don’t know the full story. Please don’t say anything.’

‘Lucy, I’ve got to know what’s going on.’ Shane tried to keep his mind on the conversation, but in his mind he was pulling her close to him. Running his fingers through her hair. ‘It’s killing me watching her.’ And watching you with her, Shane wanted to add, but didn’t.

‘Let me talk to her. I’ll try again to persuade her to tell you herself.’

Shane watched Lucy get into the lift with her bags, and he felt his heart aching. Why did everything have to be so complicated?

Mark saw Bryan walk into the hotel dining room, and instantly got up to leave. Sandra had told him after the concert last night, and he couldn’t believe it. How could he? They were supposed to be friends.

As he passed Bryan on the way out, he said, ‘Morning.’ Mark said nothing, leaving Bryan stunned. He saw Sandra running up to Bryan, and hugging him. He felt a pang of envy. But then Bryan pried her off him, and looked around, as if to check that no one had seen.

Mark turned. He didn’t want Bryan to know he’d been watching them. The show the night before had been a disaster. The fans didn’t know what was going on, but they were all so disappointed. For the first time, in God knows how long, there were no fans waiting outside the hotel. And it wasn’t even raining!

Mark climbed the two flights to his room, locked the door behind him. He sat down on the edge of the bed, and before he knew it there were tears running quietly down his cheeks.

Kian turned over in bed on Tuesday morning. His eyes slowly focused on his travel clock. 11.38. He sat up. Karina’s flight was landing in 40 minutes. He was supposed to be meeting her at the airport.

He threw on his jeans, and the first shirt he could put his hands on. His laces were still undone as he grabbed his key, and ran out the door, to find someone who could take him to the airport.

He found one of their drivers, Dave, eating breakfast in the bar, and tried to persuade him to take him to the airport.

‘I’m eating my breakfast Kian! Can’t you wait?’

‘No! Not really.’ Kian spotted the keys to the car sitting on the table. He grabbed them. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll drive myself.’

‘Hey, you can’t do that. You’re not,’ The door to the bar shut behind Kian, ‘...insured.’ Dave sighed, and went back to his toast.

Kian jumped in the car, and put his foot down. He made it to the hotel with 5 minutes to spare. He checked the arrivals screen. The flight was running late. Typical.

Kian sighed, and made his way along to Costa Coffee to get a bite to eat.

chapter twenty six to thirty